The Museum of Engineering and Technology (Zajezdnia, 15 Św. Wawrzyńca St.) combines the history of urban transport with interactive exhibits for the whole family. If you have one day in Kraków and you enjoy technology, historic trams and modern educational displays, it’s worth adding to your itinerary. The depot itself is a historic complex — the tram halls show the development of city transport from horse trams to contemporary rolling stock, and exhibitions are often complemented by workshops and kids’ zones.
The Stanisław Lem Experimental Garden and the Hangar Czyżyny are other branches of the museum that you can fit into your schedule depending on time and interests.
From the city center (around the Main Market Square) you can reach the depot in Kazimierz by tram plus a short walk in roughly 15 minutes. The most convenient option is to take a tram that stops near Plac Wolnica — from there it’s about a 500 m walk toward Św. Wawrzyńca Street. Tram lines that commonly serve the Plac Wolnica area include lines such as 6, 8, 10 and 13. Alternatively, you can get off at the “Św. Wawrzyńca” stop — lines like 3, 19 and 24 also serve that stop, which shortens the walk onto the depot grounds.
In practice: walk from the Market Square to a nearby tram stop, ride a few stops toward Kazimierz, get off at Plac Wolnica or Św. Wawrzyńca and finish with a short walk. This is a fast and comfortable option, especially on days when you want to save energy for exploring the exhibitions. Keep in mind that tram routes and timetables can change during track works, so it’s a good idea to check service on the day of your visit.
If you prefer to walk — a relaxed stroll from the Main Market Square to the depot takes you through the atmospheric streets of Kazimierz; this is a great choice if you want to soak up the neighborhood before going into the museum.
Plan at least 1.5–2 hours for the depot at 15 Św. Wawrzyńca. On site you’ll see a rich collection of trams and exhibits related to the history of urban transport, as well as permanent displays covering printing, district heating and city transformations. The museum regularly runs workshops and themed tours — a great option if you’re traveling with children.
If you have more time, visit the Stanisław Lem Experimental Garden (al. Pokoju 68) — an outdoor interactive space perfect for family experiments and play. The museum also has a branch in Hangar Czyżyny, where special exhibitions sometimes appear.
When planning your day: combine the depot visit with a short walk through Kazimierz, lunch on Plac Nowy and an afternoon coffee — this creates a compact and satisfying one-day plan.
Main branch address: Św. Wawrzyńca 15. Reservations and information are available by phone or e‑mail — the museum provides contact details for bookings; the ticket office and staff will tell you current opening hours and workshop offerings. Tickets can be bought on site or via the museum’s ticket system — if you plan to attend specific workshops or want to avoid queues, consider buying tickets online in advance.
Hours and availability: educational programs and opening hours can be seasonal; some depot spaces were reopened after phased revitalization, so check the latest news before your visit. If you’re coming with a stroller or need accessibility information, contact the museum’s info line ahead of time.
On site there are restrooms, a cloakroom and a museum shop; for families with children the museum often prepares dedicated routes and play zones.
Kazimierz offers many great places to pause. A few well-regarded options around Plac Wolnica and Św. Wawrzyńca Street: Karma Coffee Roasters (Św. Wawrzyńca St.) — an excellent café right near the Depot, perfect for fresh coffee and cake. Hamsa (ul. Szeroka) — popular for Middle Eastern cuisine and a pleasant garden. Hevre (ul. Beera Meiselsa) — atmospheric spot in a former synagogue, worth a visit for its vibe and photos. NOAH (ul. Beera Meiselsa) and Bazaar Bistro (Plac Nowy) are other reliable choices for a good meal in Kazimierz.
When choosing a place to eat, follow recent reviews — good venues in Kazimierz can be busy on weekends, so if you care about a specific table it’s wise to reserve in advance.
If you want something quick and local, try the famous zapiekanki on Plac Nowy or one of the small cafés tucked into Kazimierz’s lanes.
Avoid a few typical tourist mistakes: not leaving enough time — the museum and the Experimental Garden can take longer than expected, so allow extra time instead of rushing. Assuming everything is in one place — the Museum of Engineering and Technology has several branches (the Depot, the Experimental Garden, Hangar Czyżyny), so check ahead which sites you want to visit.
Not checking public transport — track repairs and route changes happen seasonally; verify tram services before you go. Skipping workshop reservations — popular family activities can fill up, so book early if you want to join a session.
A small tip: save time for coffee after visiting — it helps you digest impressions and plan the rest of your Kazimierz walk.
One last mistake is rushing past exhibits — the museum hides many small details and stories in the tram displays, and hurrying takes away the joy of discovery.
Is the museum close to the Main Market Square? Yes — a tram ride plus a short walk takes about 15 minutes in total, depending on your starting point and tram timetables.
Which tram lines get me closest? The most convenient stops are Plac Wolnica (served by several tram lines) or the Św. Wawrzyńca stop — check the current timetable.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? For permanent exhibitions you can usually buy tickets at the ticket office, but for workshops and special guided tours it’s wise to book online or by phone ahead of time.
Is the museum good for children? Definitely — both the Depot and the Stanisław Lem Experimental Garden offer interactive attractions and educational programs for children of various ages.
The depot at Św. Wawrzyńca is a historic complex — it’s not just a vehicle exhibition but a place where parts of the tram infrastructure from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved, which delights technology enthusiasts. The museum often displays historic tram cars and carries out conservation work visible to visitors.
The Stanisław Lem Experimental Garden is an unusual space — with over a hundred stations for hands-on experiments it invites you to touch, test and understand physics in a playful way. It’s a fantastic complement for families and curious visitors wanting to see how the world works.
A smaller but pleasant reminder: in Kazimierz you’ll find atmospheric alleys and hidden corners, so plan time to wander — often the best cafés and galleries are discovered by getting a little lost.
Suggested one-day plan: arrive or walk from the Main Market Square, take a short tram ride to Plac Wolnica, walk about 500 m to the Depot and spend 1.5–2 hours on the exhibitions, have coffee at a nearby café (for example Karma Coffee Roasters), enjoy lunch at one of Kazimierz’s recommended restaurants, take an afternoon stroll around the district and optionally visit the Stanisław Lem Experimental Garden.
If you found this article useful — share it with friends or on social media. If you’d like to explore Kraków with a local guide, consider a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on the guide’s page. Wishing you a wonderful day in Kraków and many pleasant discoveries!
